PRIVATE JOURNAL, 



DlUl.Ni. A FOIiriUN OF 1 UK KHVOLITIONARY WAR, 



roi; 'I- hi: a m rsi; m i:nt or a sis'ii: 



i:V M \I{(iAlli;i' MHK 

or r.l Ill.lMMON, N. J. 



PHI I, A i>i:i,rni A: — iMUVATKLv PRi ni'i:t). 






^ 



'^3 



Entered, accordinc; to ihi' not ol' f'on^ifss, in tlip year 18:i0, by John J. Sjirni, Jn., in 
the clerk's office of tiie District Court for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. 



INTllODlCriON. 



'riio folldwini,' l)rifl' JDiiriial. iiuliraiinij all lliat lias licoii preserved of a 
nianuscripl inin.li valued by llic descendants of tlic writer, is now printed for llieir 
perusal, 'riiongli it may interest the anti([uarian and historian of a future day, 
it is not designed lor the |iublie, and bul fifty copies have been printed, tiuis con- 
tiiiin;;^ its circulation within a narrow compass. 

Hut very few, if any, similar journals kept durijig the same period, are 
believed to exist ; and as it details the daily alarms to whicli a private family was 
hable, the I'roiuent. and often absurd reports circulated, and the kind of 
persecution to which obnoxious individuals were subjected; it will serve as a 
picture, in lUtlt, of the times. 

Of ill.' writer, Margaret ^hirris. it will be siiilieient to state that she was a 
member of the Society of Friends, was left a widow early in life, and died in 1S16, 
at lliirlmgton, N. J., at the age of seveiity-niuc. Her maiden name was Hill; 
her lather, Riclianl ilill. was extensively engaged in the Madeira wine trade, 
and resiiled with his large tamily in that island for a considerable period. Her 
])ri>llior, Henry Hill, of the liim of Hill. Hissetl Ot Co.. accumulated a large 
foriuni' in ill.- -aiiv biiMin-s. :in 1 >]\<<] nf yrWnw (I'vir. wiilioiii disrendants. 



at his residence, in Fourth street, Philadelphia, since occupied by Dr. P. S. 
Physick. She was a pious Christian ; her ever cheerful and equable temperament, 
through many years of great suffering and confinement to her couch, were truly 
remarkable ; it is in that character that she is best remembered by her grand- 
children and numerous connections, to whom her whole career was a pattern of 
modesty, benevolence, and a just reliance on Divine Providence, which never 
failed to sustain her through many trials. 

No apology is offered for her political ieelings; those she possessed in com- 
mon with too many of her countrymen, both good and great, to make her a 
mark for satire or reprehension. The few domestic circumstances that occur, 
are left as I found them, believing that they add to the interest of the journal, in 
which scarcely an alteration has been made, except to insert a name or an initial 
where the persons alluded to were left in uncertainty. It is much to be regretted 
that the manuscript is so brief, but it is not, on that account, unworthy of pre- 
servation. The sister for whom the journal was written, was Milcah Martha 
Moore, wife of Dr. Charles Moore, then residing at Montgomery Square, Pa. 

To the descendants of the estimable lady, whose cheerful and religious mind 
they portray, these few pages are dedicated by her grandson, 

John J. Smith, Jr. 

Pluladdphia, 1 036. 



VnW \T\'] .lOl UN \L 



Di'c. Oili, I77f). Ik'iug on a visit to my rriend, M. S., at Haddonfield, I was 
prt'pariiitf to rcluni to my faiiuly, when a person from Philadelphia told me the 
people there were in ^reat ccmmotion, — that the English fleet was in the river, 
and hourly expected to sail np to the city, — that tlie inhabitants were removing 
into the country, — and that several persons of considerable repute had been dis- 
covered to have formed a design of setting fire to the city, and were summoned 
before the congress and strictly enjoined to drop the horrid purpose. When I 
heard the above report my heart almost died within me, and I cried, surely the 
Lord will not piniish the innocent with the guilty, and I wished there might be 
found some interceding l.ois and Abrahams amongst our people. On my journey 
home, 1 was told the inhabitants of our little town [Hurlington, N. J.] were going 
in hnsie into the country, and that my nearest neighbours were already removed. 
When J lieard this, I felt myself (|uite sick ; I was ready to faint — I thought'of 
my S. I). [Sarah Dillwynn, wife of (ieorge, then absent,] the beloved companion 
of my widowed state— lier husband at the distance of some hundred miles from 
her — I thought of my own lonely situation, no liusband to cheer witii the voice 
of love my sinking spirits. My little flock, too, without a father to direct them 
how to steer. All these things crowded into my mind at once, and I felt like 
one Ibrsakeii : a flood of I'riendly tears came to my relief, and I felt a humble 
conlidence that He who liad been with me in six troubles, would not forsake me 

1 



now. While I cherished this hope, my tranquillity was restored, and I felt no 
sensations but of humble acquiescence to the Divine will— and was favoured to 
find my family in good health on my arrival, and my dear companion not greatly 
discomposed, for which favour I desire to be truly thankful. 

Dec. 7th. A letter from my next neighbour's husband, at the cam,i, warned 
her to be gone in haste, and many persons coming into town to-day, brought 
intelligence that the British army were advancing towards us. 

Dec. 8th. Every day begins and ends with the same accounts, and we hear 
to-day, that the regulars are at Trenton — some of our neighbours gone, and 
others going, makes our little bank [fireen Bank on tlic river,] look lonesome. 
But our trust in Providence still lirni, and we dare not even talk of removing 
our family. 

Dec. 9th. This evening were favoured with the company of our faithful 
friend and brother, R. W. [Rd. Wells.] This testimony of his love, was truly 
acceptable to us. 

Dec. 10th. To-day our amiable friend, E. C. [Hetty Cox] and her family bade 
us adieu. My brother also left us, but returned in less than an hour, telling us, 
he could not go away just as the Hessians were entering the town — but no troops 
coming in, we urged him to leave us next morning, which he concluded to do 
after preparing us to expect the Hessians in a few hours. A number of galleys 
have been lying in the river, before the town, for two days past. 

Dec. 11th. After various reports from one hour to another, of lighthorse 
approaching, the people in town had certain intelligence that a large body of 
Hessians were come to Bordentown, and we might expect to see them in a few 
hours. About 10 o'clock of this day, a party of about 60 men marched down 
the main street — as they passed along they told our doctor [Odell,] and some 
other persons in the town, that a large number of Hessians were advancing, and 
would be in the town in less than an hour. This party were riflemen, who, it 
seems, had crossed the river some where in the neighbourliood of Bordentown, to 
reconnoitre, and meeting with a superior nutnber of Hessians on the road, were 
then returning, and took Burlington in theii- way back ; from us they crossed to 



Bristol, and by the linic they were fairly embarked, tlic Hessians, to the number, 
as wi! In-ard. •>( 1 or .")0t», had pass.-d, what we call. York bridge. On the lirst 
certanity of their approach, Jno. Lawrence and two or three others thonglit best, 
for the safety of the town, to go ont and meet the troops. He communicated his 
intention to one of the gondola captains, who aiiproved of it and desired to be 
informed of the resnlt. 

Tile <,'i'ntlemeii went out, and though the Hessian colonel s])oke but httle 
Enudish, yet tiny found that upon being thus met in a peaceable manner on 
b<"lwilf of the inhabitants, lie was ready to promise them .salely and security, to 
exchange any messaires that might be projier with the gentlemen of tlie galleys. 
In the mean tune he ordered his troops to hall, they remained in their raidcs 
Iwtwcen the bridge and the corner of .Main street, waiting an answer from on 
"board. J. L. and T. II. went down to report what had ])assed, and told Capl. 
MiHire that the colonel iiad orders toiiuarler his troops in IJurliiigton that night, 
ami that if the inhabitants were (piiet antl peaceable, and would Inrnish liiin with 
ipiariers and r( I're.shment, lie would jiledge liis honour that no manner of disorder 
shiiiild iiap|H-n to disturb or alarm the jicople. Cajit. ;\Ioore replied, that in his 
opinion it would U- wrong in such a case to lire on the town, but tiiat he would 
go down and consult with the commodore, and return ;in answer as soon as 
miL'bt Im^. While this answer was waited tor, Dr. Odell was told it would be a 
.satislaction, both to the Hessian commandant and to our own people, to have a 
person who could serve as interpreter between them— not doubting the foreigner 
could sfK.'nk I'rench, the doctor went to him, and he had the satisfaction to find it 
proKible, at least, that he mii,dit be of service to the people of the town. The 
commandant seemed highly plcasid to find a person with whom he could 
converse with ease and precision. 

He desired the doctor to tell the gentlemen of the town to the same purport as 
nlxive, with tins addition — tluit he expected there would be Ibiind no persons in 
the town ill arms; nor any arms, aniimmition or elfects, belonging to jiersons 
that were in arms against the king, concealed by any of the inhabitants; that if 
any such ctTects were thus secreted, the house in which thev were found would 



be given up to pillage ; to prevent which, it would be necessary to give him a 
just and fair account of such effects, which account he would forward to thegeneral, 
and that if we acted openly and in good faith in these respects, he repeated his 
assurances, upon the honour of a soldier, that he would be answerable for every 
kind of disorder on the part of his troops. They remained in profound silence 
in their ranks, and the commandant with some of his officers came into town as 
far as J. L.'s, where they dined, waiting the commodore's answer. 

The doctor says, that as he thought he observed much of the gentleman in the 
commandant, and the appearance, at least, of generosity and humanity, he took 
an opportunity to inform him, that there was an old friend of iiis [the Dr.'s] who 
was a colonel, and of some estimation in the continental army— that he was at 
present with Gen. Washington, and that his lady, an amiable woman, had gone 
into the country with most of her effects — that the doctor was ignorant of the place 
of her retreat, but that before her departure she had begged him on the footing of 
former friendship to take into his house, and if he might be permitted to keep as 
under his protection, some few things which she could not remove, and told the 
conmiandant, he was ready to give an exact account of such of her effects as he 
had thus taken charge of; and at the same time confessed that when he took 
them, it was in the hope of being suffered to preserve them for his friend. The 
commandant told him without a moment's liesitation, "Sir, you need not be at 
the trouble of giving any further account of those things you have so candidly 
mentioned — be assured that whatever effects have been entrusted with you in 
this way, I shall consider as your own, and they shall not be touched." From 
this answer he was encouraged to hope he might be of still further service to his 
friends, and in the full persuasion that nothing would occur to disturb the 
peaceable disposition that was making; but as it happened the commodore had 
received intelligence of a party of Hessians having entered Burlington before 
Captain Moore got down to him, and had ordered up four galleys to fire on the 
town wherever any two or three persons should be seen together, Capt. Moore 
met and hailed them one after another, but the wind was so high that he was 
not hoard nr not understood. The four gondolas came up, and the first of them 



upiK-uriiiij U-foTc tlie iiiaiii street, J. L., T. H. and W. D.' went down upon the 
wharf anil waved a liat, the sitjnal ai^recd on with Cajjt. Moore for tlic boat to 
conic ashore and <iive tlie commodore's answer in peace ; to the astonishment of 
these fjeiitlcmen, all the answer they received was lirst a swivel shot. Not 
btjiievirii,'' it jHissihJe tiiis could i)e desitrnediy done, they stood still, and J. L. 
again wnv<d his hat, and was answered with an IS ponnder; both these tires as 
the i^ondola jjeople have since told us, were made witli as good aim as could be 
taken, as they took it for <,'ranted it was at Hessians they fired ; liowever, as it 
WHS impossil)lc to conjecture that such conduct conld have happened, or to 
sus[H'ct such a mistake, it is no wonder the town was exceedingly alarmed ; 
looking uimn it in the light of a cruel as well as unprovoked piece of treachery. 
l'|H>n this news, the commandant rose calmly from table, and his officers with 
hnn went out to eiijht or ten men. who had come to the door as a small body-guard 
— he turned to the doi-ior as he went into the street, and said, he could easily 
dis|)<)se of his [«'ople out of the possibility of danger, but that much mischief 
might be diine to the town, and that he would take a view of the gondolas, and 
see what measures miirhi bt; necessary on his [lart ; but that he should be sorry 
to Ih" the occasion of any <lamaire or distress to the inhabitants. He walked down 
the street, and .sent dilferent ways three sentinels in Indian file together — to view 
and report to him what they saw. 

These beini: now and then seen at dillerent limes, induced the people on board 
to N-heve that the houses were full of Hessians, and a cannonade was continued 
till almost d.irk, in dillerent directions, soiuetimes along the street, sometimes 
acro.ss It. .Several hou.s»\s wi.-re struck, and a little damaged, but not one living 
creature, either man or l>east, killed or wounded. About dark the gondolas fell 
down a little way l)elow the town, and the night was passed in (piiet. 

While all this tumult was in town, wc, on our peaceful bank, ignorant of the 
occasion of the firing, were wondering what it could mean, and unsuspecting of 

* Wm. Dillnjrnn, married to a aintcr of Jno. Smith, father o< Supan Emlen, and afterwards settled in 
England. 



10 

danger, were quietly pursuing our business in the family, when a kind neighbour 
informed us of the occasion, and urged us to go into the cellar, as a place of 
safety. We were prevailed on by him to do so, and remained there till it ceased. 

Dec. 12th. The people of the galleys, suspecting that some troops were yet 
either concealed in the town, or neighbourhood of it, have been very jealous of 
the inhabitants, who have often been alarmed with reports that the city would 
be set on fire ; many have gone in haste and great distress into the country, but 
we still hope no mischief is seriously intended. A number of men landed on 
our bank this morning, and told us it was tlieir settled purpose to set fire to the 
town. I begged them not to set my house on fire ; they asked which was my 
house, and they said tliey knew not what hindered them from firing on it last 
night, for seeing a light in the chambers they thought there were Hessians in it, 
and they pointed their guns at it several times. I told them my children were 
sick, which obliged me to burn a light all night. Though they did not know 
what hindered them from firing on us, I did ; it was the guardian of the widow 
and the orphan, who took us into his safe-keeping, and pre.served us from danger ; 
— oil, that I may keep iunnble, and be thankful for this, as well as other favours 
vouchsafed to my little flock. 

Dec. 13th. This day we began to look a little like ourselves again. The troops 
were removed some miles from town, as we iiear, and our friends began to venture 
out to see us — but the suspicions of the gondola men, still continued, and search 
was made in and about the town for men distinguished by the name of tories. 
About noon of this day, dear brother R. AV. popped in upon us — he had heard 
the firing yesterday, and being anxious for our safety, he ran the risk of venturing 
amongst us to see how we had fared — surely this proof of his love will never be 
forgotten by me wliile my memory lasts ; he left us after dinner. 

Dec. 14th. This day tliere was no appearance of the formidable Hessians. 
Several of our friends called to see us ; amongst the number was one (Dr. Odell,) 
esteemed by the whole iamily, and very intimate in it; but the spirit of the devil 
still continued to rove through the town in the sliape of tory-hunters. A message 
was delivered to our intimate friend, informing him a party of armed men were 



1 1 

oil the scorch for liim— liis horse was hroiight, and liu retired lo a place of safety. 

•■^"1 if tlie L't'iitlfiiicii, wlio c'litcrtaiiu'd the loreifriiers, were pointed out lo the 

gondola men— two worthy ndiahitaiits* were seized npon, and dragged on board, 
l-'roni the KJth to thi- Itiih, we liad various reports of the advancing and 
retiruigof the fueniy : [larlies of armed men rudely entered the town, and diligent 
search w.ls made lor tones : some of the gondola gentry broke into and pillaged 
lid. Smith's lionse on tiie bank. .Mem. To give a more particular account of 
till' maimiT by and by. About noon this day, |l(Jih,] a very terrible account of 
ihousaiid.s eommg into town, and now actually to be seen on Callows Hill — my 
mrautioiis son' catiglil u|i tlir spy-:,'lass. and was running towards the mill to 
look at them. I told him it would be liable lo misconstruction, but he prevailed 
on me to alliiw bun to gralil'y his curiosity — lie went, but returned much 
dis^satislied, for no lroo[w luiild he see— as he came bark j)oor DickJ took the 
glass, and resting it against a tree, took a view of llu' lleet— both of these were 
observed by the p*;opk' on board, who suspected it was an enemy that was 
wateiiing llifir motions. Tlify maniii'd a boat, and .sent her on shore — a loud 
knocking at my door brought me to it — 1 was a little lluttered, and kept locking 
and unlocking that I migbl get my rnllb'd lace a little composed — at last I 
openrd II, and half a dozen men all arni.d, demanded ibe key of the empty house. 

I aski'ii what ihey wanted there; ihey said to .search for a d d lory who 

had been spymi: at them Irom the mill. 'The name of a lory, so ncur rni/ <nvn door, 
seriously alariiK-d m.', tor a poor ny'i/gc c, dimiilied by thai name, had claimed the 
sheliiT of my roof, and was at that very lime concealed like a thief in an auger 
hole-^I rnn^' the U'll vmiiutly, the si^^nal agreed on if they came to search, and 
when 1 thi>ui:ht h.' bad crept into the hole. 1 put on a very simple look, and cried 
out, •• IJIess me, 1 hope you are not llesMans." -Do we look like Ih-ssians," 
asked oneof iheiii. rudely. •■ Indeed I don't know." ■• Diil you never see a Hes- 
sian .'" ■• .Ni>, never in my lile : but tli<y ,ire nini, and yoii an' men, and may be 
Hessians, for any [Iiiiil,'' I know— but I'll go with you into Col. Co.\'s house, 



12 

though indeed it was my son at tlic mill ; lie is but a boy, and meant no harm- 
he wanted to see the troops."' 

So I marched at the liead of them, opened the door, and searched every place, 
but we could not find the tory, — strange where he could be. We returned — 
they, greatly disappointed — I, pleased to think my house was not suspected. 
The captain, a smart little fellow, named Shippen, said he wished he could see 
the spy-glass. S. D. produced it, and very civilly desired his acceptance of it, 
which I was sorry for, as I often amused myself in looking through it. They 
left us, and searched J. V.'s [James Verree] and the two next houses, but no tory 
could they find. This transaction reached the town, and Colonel Cox was very 
angry, and ordered the men on board. In the evening I went to town with my 
refugee, and placed him in other lodgings. I was told to-day of a design to seize 
upon a young man in town, as he was esteemed a tory. I thought a hint would 
be kindly received, and, as I came back, called upon a friend of his, and told him. 
Next day he was out of the reach of the gondolas. 

Dec. 17tli. More news! great news ! very great news; (J. V.'s). The British 
troops actually at Mount Holly ! — guards of militia placed at London and York 
bridges — gondola men in arms patrolling the street, and diligent search making 
for fire-arms, ammunition, and tories — another attempt last night to enter into 
R. Smith's house. Early this morning J. V. sent in, to beg I would let my son 
go a few miles out of town on some business for him. I consented, not knowing 
of the formidable doings up town — when I heard of it I felt a mother's pangs for 
her son all the day ; but when night came, and he did not appear, I made no doubt 
of his being taken by the Hessians. A friend made my mind easy, by telling me 
he had passed through the town where the dreadful Hessians were said to be 
"playing the very mischief," (J. V. again) ; it is certain there were numbers of them 
at Mount Holly, but they behaved very civilly to the people, excepting only a few 
persons, who were actually in rebellion, as they termed it, whose goods, &c. they 
injured. This evening every gondola man sent on board, with strict orders not 
to set a foot on the Jersey shore again — so far so good. 

Dec. ISth. This morning gives us hope of a quiet day — but my mind still 



13 

anxious for my son, not yrt n-turncd. Our rc-fuffcc pone off to-day out of the 
rrach ofjoiidDlas aii<i tcry liiiiiliTs riincli talk of tlii> enoiiiy— two Hessians had 
ih'! assurance to ajijioar ni town to-day ; they asked if tliere were any rebels in 
town, and iK-sired to he shown the nun nf ivar — what a burlesijue on tiicn of zuar ! 
.My son retnrn«'d to-nii^ht.and lo his niortiliealion saw not one Hessian, liifjit-liorse, 
or any ihni:,' else worth see^l!,^ hut had the consolation of ;t little adventure at 
York l{ridi,'e, hcin;,' made to :,rive an aeeount ol himself as lie went out yesterday, 
his horse driamed, and he ordiTcd lo walk haek ti> town and {ret a pass from 
Cien. llefd ; this he readily air'''' d to, hut instead of a |)ass, Col. Co.k accompanied 
linn haek lo the hridije, and Don Uui.xote, jr. mounted his liorse, and rode through 
their ranks in triumph. Two field pieces said to he mounted at Hristol. 

Dee. I'Jth. \ man was met on the road, with a white l]a<r or rag tied to a 
stick, hut whence he came, or where he was going, the wi.><est head on the hank 
[J. v.] cannot eonjeelnre. .V report prevails, that (Jeii. Putnam with lOOt) men 
are on their march this put all into motion at Holly. 'Die Hessians retire to 
the Mlack Horse. Not one gondola man ashore all this day; we may hum a 
candle all night and sleep secure. This evening reci'ived a letter from Dr. C. M. 
(Charles >h)ore|. invitinir me to move into his neighliourhood, hut my mind is 
easiest while 1 coin-hide to ahide where I'roviilciice has east my lot he has 
preserved lis in irn;it dampers, and I dare not distrust his futtiie care. A letter 
from the hrolher and frn-iid of my heart [(Jeo. DillwynJ, gives me hope of his 
niiirii ; his advice must d.icrmine my future niovemenls. 

Dec. 2111I1. \ snow storm last night has almost slopped the navigation, and 
sent our gnarda-coslasotit of our siu'ht down the river; surely this will be a quiet 
day- ineihinks I will call for my work-basket, and .set myself to sewing — hut 
hark ! a rap at the door— that face (J. V.] is full of intelligence. '■ Well, what 
news, neighbour .'" ••Oh. bles.s me ! great news, indeed ! why. Iiaiit you heard 
it.'" -.No, we h.ive seen nobody from town l<i-d,iy: do lell us." ■■ ^\ hy, the 
HesMaiis are actually just here ; Master P.. W . !).. ^Vc. ».V;c., are .ill gone out to 
si^e what they can do." •■ Well ! and will lliey briii:^ llieni all mio town .' I'm 
sure we arc but poorly luovidcd jiisl now for a irreat deal of compniiy. ' .1. \. slill 



14 

goes on — " Oil ! Ah ! you will have enough of them ; I expect to have my house 
full ! I saw a man rroni Holly, yesterday, who says he saw fifty of the light-horse, 
all very fine English horses— oh it was a terrible sight to see how they all foamed 
at the mouth and pranced — and fifty Hessians all quartered at Holly ; but Putnam 
is surely coming with 1500 men." " Well, but neighbour, I should suppose it was 
a very fine sight to see so many fine horses together, and prancing."--" Oh no, 
bless my spirits ! it is a terrible sight to see how they foamed at the mouth !" 
"Well, we shall hear by and by what the ambassadors have done — I hope they 
won't come in to-night with the Hessians, for I am quite unprovided to entertain 
company." (Observe, Patty, it was I that was in such a fidget and not provided 
for company) — "Whip the fellows, I got sujipcr enough for twenty of them the first 
night of the alarm, and I 'm resolved I '11 trouble myself no more about them till I 
see some of them in earnest — 17 Hessians in town to-day, and we were told the Re- 
corder was desired to prepare a dinner for about 500 men — a friend, from town, 
called in about 4 o'clock, and told us they were all a-coming. We asked if he had 
seen them ') no ! but he heard they were just here — we asked him how we, at this 
distance from town, sliould know of their coming ; they might pop upon us here 
and scare us out of our wits — as we had no man in the house— he said, "Oh, you 
will know of it fast enough, I warrant — why the noise of the cannon and wagons 
will be heard at a great distance, and I advise you to make good use of your time 
till they do come, and put all things of gold and silver out of their way, and all 
linen too, or you will lose it." I said they pillaged none but rebels, and we were 
not such ; wc had taken no part against them, tkc. But tiiat signified nothing; 
we should lose all, &c. After he was gone, my S. D. and myself asked each other 
why it was that all these stories did not put us into a fright — we were not even 
discomposed ; surely it is a favour never to be forgotten. We concluded to sit up 
a little later than usual to-night, but no rattling could we hear. Ambassadors re- 
turned — a report that the congress dollars will be allowed to circulate for a certain 
number of years — a battery talked of, to be raised at the point of the island. We 
are told the two pieces of cannon, said to be at Bristol, have disappeared. 

Dec. 21st. More snow last night — no danger of gondolas now — more 



15 

ambassadors EfOiie out to-day to tlio llossians— not much to lie expected from 
one otilieiii. A ureal deal of talk in tlie iieii;lil)onrlio(id aI>ont a neutral island; 
wish with great earnestness it may he alltiwe<l- wonder the men in town don't 
tiniik it worih while to siej) down here and tell us what they are after— !,'et ([iiile 
in till- lidijets for news— send Diek to town to collect some— lio retnrns qnite 
m wsless— irood mnid to send him hack a^'ain. \V. I), comes at last — tells iis 
all we ex|M-cted to hear — |)leascs us hy sayinu^ we shall have timely notice of 
tlnir comin_' -tcivi s a hint that the f.ehle and defenceless will fmd salety and 
proteclion— rank ourselves amonir t'le numl er, having: no man with us in the 
house. Determine not to he unprovided a^'ain, let them come or not, as the 
weatluT is now so cold provisions will keep ^ood several days. We pily the 
|«)or f.'llows who were ohlii,'ed to he out last night in the snow. Kejicat our 
wislies that this may lie a neutral island -ipiile sleepy- go to bed and burn a 
lamp all niijht -talk as lond as nsnal. and don't regard the creakinir of the door 
no gondola nn-n listening about the baidc. IJefore we retireil to bed this 
••veninir, an attempt was maili' lo teaeli the children to pronounce " i(g«/r.v," 
(how do yoti do .') like a Dnlchmau. Dur good neighbour a little concerned to 
ihuik llnre IS not one in the neighbourhood that will be able to interpret for us 
when the Hessians are ipiartered on us. .\t last, by dint of mere conjuration, I 
diseoviT that ins maid is a Diiti-h woman, and we resolve, iicnt. con., that she 
shall U' the inierprrier of the bank, and her nuLsler thinks it will be a great thing 
10 have on<' that can speak for iis. 

Dec. -Jid. It is said I'ntnam wiih HnKt m.n ar.' at :\hiunt lh)lly: all the 
women removed from the town, except one widow of our aci]uaiiitance — this 
evening we lii-ar the sounil of nnicli hanimcring at IJrislol, and it is conjectured 
liiat a fi)rliIlcation is carrying on there — more cannon said to be jilanted on the 
island — wi- hear this afternoon that the genlleincn who went last to the Count 
de No[»' with a rttpie-si that our town might be allowed to remain a neutral one, 
are returned, and rejKirl that he had Ux> many alfairs of greater conseiiuence in 
hand to atliMid to them, or give an answer. I think we don't like the ( Vninl (jnite 
.so well to dav. as we ilid vst<rdav. W'' b<:ird V'sl.rdav that (Jen. ],eewas 



16 

taken prisoner by a party of iis^ht-liorse, who surrounded Iiini, and took him to 
New York, (hope privately that he will not escape) ; to-day (22d) we iiear Gen. 
Howe is at Trenton, and it is t!iou:,rlit there will be an engajrement soon. A man 
who was at Mount Holly the otiier tlay, tells us he saw a great many of the British 
troops — that some of them went to tlie magazine there [a small room over the 
court-house] and totjk out about IdO wooden canteens, and tlie same number of 
broken tire-arms, and, calling for a guard of 100 men, piled them up in the street, 
and ordered the men in derision to take charge of them. This afternoon we 
hear of our refugee again, and that he has got a protection, as it is called. The 
rage of tory-hunting a little subsided ; we now hear only of the Hessian-hunters ; 
but they make a poor hand of it — not one brought in that we know of. We 
hear this afternoon that our officers are afraid their men will not figiit, and wish 
they may all run home again. A peaceable man ventured to prophesy to-day 
that, if the war is continued through the winter, the British troops will bescared 
at the sight of our men, for as they never fought with naked men, the novelty 
of it will terrify them, and make them retreat faster than they advanced to meet 
them ; for he says, from the present appearance of our ragged troops, he thinks 
it probable tliey will not have clothes to cover them a month or two lience. 

Several of the families, who left the town on the day of the cannonading, arc 
returned to their houses ; the intelligence brought in this evening is seriously 
affecting; a party of our men, about 200, marched out of Mount Holly, and 
meeting with a party of Hessians near a place called Petticoat Bridge, an engage- 
ment ensued — the Hessians retreating rather than advancing — a heavy firing of 
musketry and some cannon heard ; we are informed that twenty-one of our men 
were killed in the engagement, and that they returned at night to their liead- 
quarters at Mount Holly, the Hessians to theirs at the Black Horse. 

Dec. 23d. This day twelve gondolas came up the river again, but we know 
not as yet the occasion of their coming; the troops at Mount Holly went out 
again to-day and engaged the Hessians near the same place where they met 
yesterday ; it is reported we lost ten men, and that our troops are totally routed 
and the Hessians in possession of Mount Holly. This evening a little alarm in 



17 

our iR-i.,'lilM>iirliootl ; a report retu-liiii;^ lis ilial IJiHIO troops, now at niistol, are lo 
cross oviT III till.- iiiirlit, and lo laiiil on oiir hank in orilir to join llic ronti d jiarty 
of V'-sterday ; my di'ar i>. D.'s spirits lor lliu first liiiie I'orsook liur on liearing this, 
and my heart <,'rii'vrd that 1 (•oiiiil olfrr iiothinu^ to (.■onii)osu her. ^\'o conjoclnre 
the ;,'ondoias an; to he hen- in readiness to reci'ive onr men should tliey he put 
to lli:;hl -he that as it may, we don't Uke lo see iheiii so mar lis, and wisli for 
aiKiiher snow storm lo drive tlieiii away. 

Dec. -Jlth. 'l"he-ondolasalli:„iieoiit..fsi.dit hut whether ii|) or down llie 
river we know imt. This mornintr we are told of a fearful alarm which was 
spread lhroii!.di the town last iiii^ht : llial the irondolas had ordens to fire on it in 
the niirht, as it was .".aid the Hessians were expected to come in after the rout of 
yesi.-rday, and take jiossessioii here as lliey had done at .Mount Holly; happily 
this aeeoimt did imt reach us till it was proved lo he false. It seems the com- 
modore had sent one ."\ll\iiiirlit on shore, who informed the inhabitants of it. 
W. Smith and M. Helm went lo Uristol in the eveiiiiiir, and aciinainted Gen. 
Cadwallader with what they liad heard, who si<rnilied to the commodore the 
necessity of the removal of the lleel, as the ice would probably make it diliicnlt 
for them to sail a liw days hence; when this was taken lo the commodore, lie 
denied having' sent the infurmalion which .so alarmed the inhabitants. It was 
tliou'^hl he appeared a little disgui.scd with lienor at the lime. We hear tlic 
Hessians are still at Holly, and onr troops in possession of Church Hill, a little 
beyond ; the account of Iwcniy-one killed the first day of the engagement, and 
ten the next, is not to be depended on, as tlie Hessians say our men rnn so fiist 
they had not the opportunity of killing any of them. Several Hessians in town 
Ui-day. They went to Daniel Smith's and empiired for several articles in the 
sliop which they olFered to pay for; two were observed to be in liquor in the 
.stri-ei ; they went to the tavern, and calling for mm ordered tiie man to ciiarge 
it to the king. We hear that two houses in the skirts of tlic town were broke 
ojuMi by the He.ssians and pillaged. The gondolas have been lying down at 
Dunk's l-Vrry all this day. A pretty heavy firing heard up the river to-day, but 
no account yd received of the occasion, or where it was. 



18 

Dec. 25th. An officer said to be gone to Bristol from tlie Count de Nope 
with a tiajj, and offers of letting our town remain a neutral post. Gen. Reed at 
Philadelphia. An express sent to him, and we hear he is to meet the Count to- 
morrow, at Jno. Antrim's, and settle the preliminaries. 

Dec. 26th. Very stormy ; we fear Gen. Reed will not meet tlie Count to-day. 
A great number of flat-bottom boats gone up the river; we cannot learn where 
they are going to. 

Dec. 27th. A letter from Gen. Reed to his brother, informing him that 
Washington had had an engagement with the regulars, on the 2.jth, early in the 
morning, taking them by surprise ; killed 50 and took 900 prisoners — the loss on 
our side not known, or if known, not suffered to be public. It seems this heavy 
loss to the regulars, was owing to the prevailing custom among the Hessians, 
of getting drunk on the eve of that great day which brought peace on earth, and 
good will to men — but oh ! how unlike Ciiristians is the manner in which 
they celebrate it. Can we call ourselves Christians, while we act so contrary to 
our master's rules? He set the example which we profess to follow, and here is a 
recent instance that we only profess it ; instead of good will, envy and hatred 
seem to be the ruling passions in the breasts of thousands. This evening, the 
27th, about 3000 of the Pennsylvania militia and other troops landed in the neck, 
and marched into town with artillery, baggage, (fcc, and are quartered on the 
inhabitants. One company were lodged at J. V.'s, and a guard placed between 
his house and ours ; we were so favoured as not to iiave any sent to our house. 
An officer spent the evening with us, and appeared to be in high spirits, and 
talked of engaging the English as a very trifling affair — nothing so easy as to 
drive them over the North River, &c.; not considering there is a God of battle, as 
well as a God of peace, who may have given them the late advantage, in order 
to draw them out to meet the chastisement that is reserved for them. 

Dec. 28th. Early this morning the troops marched out of town in Iiigh 
spirits; a fliglit of snow this morning drove the gondolas again down the river. 
My heart sinks when I think of the numliers unprepared for death, who will 
probably be sent in a ihw days to np|iear before the Judge of Heaven. The 



19 

weather cleariii£r up tliis afternoon, wo oliserved several lioats, with soldiers and 
ihi'ir Icitr^M^r,., iiiakinir up to our wharf; as I looked at them, I thought I saw a 
lai.T that wjis not straniji' to nio, and taking a nearer view, found it was the well- 
known I'aci- of my lieloved hrotlier and friend, (i. Dillwyn. "When I saw the 
companions he was amonL', I thought of what Solomon said of his heloved — 
that she was like an ap|(le tree amongst the trees of the wood. When he came 
into the house, my kindred heart hade him welcome to the hospitable roof, — for 
so must I ever deem that roof which has sheltered me and my little Hock, — 
though our joy at meeting him was checked by the jirospect before and around. 
.A man, who sei uuil to have command over the soldiers just landed, civilly a.sk<d 
for the keys of Col. Co.\'s house, in which they stowed their baggage, and took 
up their ipiarlers for the niijbt. and were very (|uiet. 

iJei:. -J'-itli. This morning llie .soldiers at the ne.xt house prepared to dejiart, 
and as they i«ssed my door, they stopped to bless and thank me for the food I 
sent them, which I received, not as my due, but as belonging to my master, who 
had reached a morsel to tliim by my hand. A great number of soldiers in town 
to day- another company took possession of the ne.\t house when the first left it. 
'I'lie inhabitants much straightened for bread to supply the soldiers, and fire-wood 
to keej) them warm. This seems to be only one of the many calamities of war. 

Dei-. :{(i[|i. A nnmk'r of poor soldiers sick and wounded hrou<rlit into town 
to (l.iy. and lodged in the courthouse ; some of them in private houses. To-day 
I hear several of our townsmen have ai^recd to procure wood for the soldiers; 
but they found it was attended with considerable difticidty, as nio.st of the wagons 
usually employi'd to bring in woixl were pressed to take the soldiers' baggage. 

I).'c. ;{lst. W'l- have been told of an engagement between the two armies, 
ni which it was .^aid the KiiltIisIi had HMt taken prisoners, and 3(10 killed and 
wounded, 'i'lie report of the evening contradicts the above intelligence, and there 
is no certain account of a battle. 

Jan. 1st. 1777. This New Year's day has not been u.shcrcd in with the 
usual rejoicings, and 1 N-Iieve it will be the begimiingof a sorrowful year to very 
many [vo|)|e. Yet the llaltercr. hope, bids me look forward with confidence to 



20 ' 

Him who can bring out of this confusion the greatest order. I do not hear that 
any messengers have been in town from the camp. 

Jan. 3d. This morning we heard very distinctly a heavy firing of cannon ; 
the sonnd came from about Trenton, and at noon a number of soldiers, upwards 
of 10t)0, came into town in great confusion, with baggage and some cannon. 
From these soldiers we learn there was a smart engagement yesterday, at Trenton, 
and that they left them engaged near Trenton mill, but were not able to say 
which side was victorious. They were again <iuartered on the iniiabitants, and 
we again exempt from the cumber of having them lodged in our house. Several 
of those who lodged in Col. Cox's house last week, returned to-night, and asked 
for the key, which I gave them ; about bedtime, I went into the next house to 
see if the fires were safe, and my heart was melted to see such a number of my 
fellow-creatures, lying like swine on the floor, fast asleep, and many of them 
without even a blanket to cover them. It seems very strange to me, that such 
a number should be allowed to come from the camp at the very time of the 
engagements, and I shrewdly suspect they have run away — lor they can give 
no account why they came, nor where they are to marcii next. 

Jan. 4tli. The accounts hourly coming in, are so contradictory and various, 
that we know not which to give credit to. We have heard our people have 
gained another victory— that the English are fleeing before them, some at Bruns- 
wick, some at Princeton. We hear to-day that Sharp Delany, and A. Morris, 
and others of the Pennsylvania militia, are killed, and that the Count de Nope 
is numbered with the dead ; if so, the Hessians have lost a brave and humane 
commander. The prisoners taken by our troops, are sent to Lancaster jail. A 
number of sick and wounded brought into town — calls upon us to extend a hand 
of charity towards them. Several of my soldiers left the next house, and returned 
to the place from whence they came ; upon my (picstioning them pretty close, I 
brought several to confess they had run away, being scared at the heavy firiiig 
on the 3d. Tiiere were several juetty innocent-looking lads among them, and 
I sympathised with their mothers, when I saw them preparing to return to the 
army. 



J:iii. ."Jih. I hoard to-day tliat (apt. Sliippcn, who tlircatcncd to shoot my 
sDii for spyiiiijf at the ^joiidolas, is killed. I Ibrijavo him, long ago, for the fright 
he occasioned ino, and felt sorry when I heard ho was dead. We are told to-day 
that Cieii. .Mercer is killed, and .Mililin wounded ; what sad liavoc will this 
dreadln! war make in our land ! 

Jan. Cth. We are told to-day that 2<MM) New i'.ngland men fell in llie late 
en'.ja:,'ement. 

Jan. "ill. This eveninir all the irondi'las, whii'h have been for several days 
[last lying iM'fore Mristol, sailed down the river, c.\ce])t one which is stationed 
tliere for the winter, I snpposo; an order arriv'd about five this evening 
fi>r tlie remamder of the soldiers to marcli : they hurried away, but returned in 
le.ss than an hour, the oilicers thinking it loo late for them to reach I3ordcntowa 
lo-niirht. 

Jan. "sth. .Ml the soldiers gone from the next house— only one of tlic number 
stopfH'd to bid me larewell ; but I did not resent it, remembering that only one of 
the ten le[)ers, cleansed by our Lord, returned to give thanks — not that I would 
compan; tin- lew trilling services I was enaliled to render those poor creatures, 
to that great miracle; but it rose in my mind at the time, perhaps, as a check to 
any little resentment that I might have felt for being neglected. I went into the 
house after they had left it, and was grieved to sec such loads of [jrovisions 
wnstefully lying on the floor. I sent my son to desire an olRcer in town to 
order it away, and he returned his comiiliments, and desired me 'Mo keep it from 
spoiling" — that was. to make use of it : but as it was not his to give, and I had 
no stomach to keep it from spoiling. I sent it to another ]>erson. who had it taken 
to the sick -soldiers. 

Jan. Itth. We hear lo-d.iy that our troop.s li,tvi> driven the I'.nglish to Hiuns- 
wi^k, and some s.iy there has b<'e,i another bailie. All ihe oilicers went out of 
town today. The re|Mirt of ]ioor .V. Morris beiii;: killed, is confirmed by an 
olli.er who was in \hr b.illle. We he.ir that Wasbmglon has sent to buy U|) a 
nnmlx-r of .stores, from whence it is concluded he is going into winter (piarlcrs. 
The weather very cold ; some snow tailing has al.so tilled the river with icc, and 



22 

we expect it will be strong enough to walk over in a day or two, and give an 
opportunity, to those inclined to escape, of crossing over, which, for several weeks 
past, has been attended with some difficulty ; all the boats belonging to the town 
being seized npon by the gentlemen of the galleys, and either borne away, or 
broke to pieces, which they said was done to prevent the Hessians from crossing 
the river; and, on the same pretence, a number of bridges have been taken up, 
and others so much damaged as to make it difficult for travellers to pass from 
hence to Philadelphia. Several of the soldiers, who were brought into town 
sick, have died, and it is feared the disorder by which they were afflicted is 
infectious. 

Jan. 11th. Weather very cold, and the river quite shut. I pity the poor 
soldiers, now on their march, many of whom will probably lay out in the fields 
this cold night. Wliat cause have I for gratitude, that I and my household are 
sheltered from the storm ! oh that the hearts of my offspring may learn to trust 
in the God of their mother — He who has condescended to preserve us in great 
danger, and kept our feet from wandering from the habitation his goodness has 
allotted to us. 

Jan. 12th. We are told to-day of the robbery of one of the commissaries — 
the sum lost is said to be £10,000. I Iiave not heard who is suspected of 

committing the robbery. The Earl of B n,* who quitted his habitation on 

the first alarm of the Hessians coming in, is returned with his family. We have 
some hopes that our refugee will be presented with a pair of lawn sleeves, when 
dignities become cheap, and suppose he will then think himself too big to creep 
into his old auger hole — but I shall remind him of the place, if I live to see him 
created first B p of B n. 

Jan. 13th. Several of the lories, who went out of town while the gondolas 
were here, are returned, on hearing there has been a general jail-delivery at 
Philadelphia. One man, who thought himself immovable, has been compelled 
to swear or sign allegiance to the States. 



23 

Jan. 1 1th. Tho lie of the day runs tlins— that the New England men have 
taken Lon^ Island, arc in |ios,s.'s,si(>n of Kin<,''s Hridijc — that Gen. Lcc is retaken 
by his own men — the re<,nilars in a desperate condition intrenching at Drnnswick, 
and iinite hojieless of gaining any advantage over the Americans this campaign. 
.A ii'tter Irom my amiable friend, K. C, informs me her husband's battalion was 

III ihe Iroiit of the battle at , and behaved remarkably well ; they took 200 

prisoners, and left ^i) on the ticld ; he acknowledges the preserving hand of 
I'rovid.-nce in bringing him safe through such a .scene of blood, etc. I hear 
(;>ii. Howe sent a reijiiest to Washington, desiring three days' cessation of arms, 
to lake care of the wounded, and bury the dead, which was refused ; what a 
wofiil tendency war has to harden the human heart against the tender feelings 
of humanity ! Well may it be called a horrid art — thus to change tlie nature of 
man. I thought that even barbarous nations had a sort of religious regard for 
th.-ir dead. A iViend from Trenton tells me poor A. Morris died in three hours 
al"ler he was wounded, and was buried in Friend's burying ground, at Stony 
llrook. Also L'apt. Shipi)cn was buried by him. The same friend told us that 
a man was killed in his bed at the house of Stacey Potts, at Trenton, in the time 
of the engagement there, and that Potts 's daughter, about the age of mine, went 
iVoin home to lodije, the night preceding the battle, and returning in the morning, 
just as she stei>ped into her father's door, a ball met her, (being directed by 
the mierring liand of Providence,) took the comb out of her hair, and gently 
grazed the skin of her head without doing her any further injury: who sliall 
dare to say they are shot at random .' 

Jan. l;'>th. I was a good de;il atl'ected this evening, at seeing the hearse in 
whiih (kmi. Mercer's body was conveyed over the river, on the ice, to be buried 
at Pbilail'-lphia ; jmor Capt. Shippen's body was also taken over, at the same 
tmir, to be rebiiriid there. P. Reed gave us the following account of a report 
they heard Irom a man. whom her si.sier sent to Burlington to bring some things 
they were in want of the night the la.^'t soldiers came into town. Reed's wife 
hireil a wai,'ou lo come here, and got one of her neighbours to come and fetch 
.some of her goods. Just as the man began to load the wagon, the soldiers came 



24 

running into town, and the man whipped up his horses and drove away without 
his goods. When he got to Reed's house in the country, he told them there was 
10,000 wagons in Burlington, — that Gen. Washington, Lee, Howe, and all the 
Americans were engaged in Ijatlic. ni iJurlington, — that Washington was mortally 
wounded, and the streets were lull of dead bodies, and that the groans of the 
dying were still in his ears. They opened their letters in fearful haste, and 
found nothing relative to what the man told them, nor could they convince him 
that his fright had magnified the matter, till they sent a person up here to enquire. 

* * A page of the MS. unfortunately missing. * ' * 

Jan. 31st, 1777. The scruples of my own mind being satisfied in keeping 
my son here till the search was over, I felt peace in the prospect of sending him 
to my dear brother, C. M. (Dr. Charles Moore), and now that he is gone from me, 
I feel like a merchant who has ventured half his fortune out to sea, anxious for 
the success of the voyage ; oh that it may be a prosperous one to my dear boy — 
then shall I be happy. 

Feb. 3d. To-day appeared in print, a proclamation of Gen. Washington's, 
ordering all persons who had taken protections of the king's commissioners, to 
come in thirty days, and swear allegiance to the United States of America, or else, 
repair with their families to the lines of the British troops. What will become 
of our refugee, now ! 

Feb. 4th. To-day eight boats full of soldiers sailed up the river to join tlie 
continental forces ; they appeared to be very merry with their drums beating, and 
colours flying ; this is said to be the day appointed for our friends, who are 
prisoners, to have a hearing before Putnam ; a man, who is not a lover of peace, 
told us it was expected there would be bloody work on the occasion. 

Feb. 6th. Several hundred soldiers, who were returning from the camp, 
were quartered on the inhabitants, and in general, I hear, behaved well. 

Feb. 7th. All the soldiers quartered on the town last night, went away to- 
day. The prisoners taken from our town, and Mount Holly, discharged and 
returned home ; several of them much fatigued, and some sick. 

Feb. 11th. This evening two doctors were brought into town, and put into 



25 

prison, for iiinciil:i(iii;j in tlioir families, rontrary to tlie orders of C!on. Pntnnni, 
who had |irohiliitfd thoni from inoculatin;,^. Tlicy wore discharged in a few days. 

April Kith. Jmo. Lawrence, Thomas Watson, and several otlicr persons, 
olmoxions to the slate, were ienprisoned licre, and divers others honnd over to 
their ijood hehaviour, and to appear at the next conrl — to he held — nobody knows 
ivhrrf. 

April 17th. \ innnher of liathottoined hoals went up the river, and landed 
troops at Ikistoi ; it is said loOtl men arc hilleled on the inhaliitants there. 

April I'Jth. A re|)ort that there has heen an cngairement hetwcen the IJritish 
troops and Americans; the latter victorious. IJ. Helm snmmoned heforc the 
crovernor. and boiwid to answer at the next court for prelerring; silver dollars to 
pa|H'r. The Knglish said to he in motion, and the (leet helow. 

May 7th. Capt. ^Vebb and his family came here in order to set olf the next 
day for New York, having received orders from the governor to depart the state. 
Just as they were retiring to lieil, a caj>tain of the light-horse arrived with a 
party of soldiers, and demaniled the keys of his trunks — some of which they 
o|iened, and searched lor letters, and took all they could find, and guarded him 
to his lixlging, at R. Smiths, and were all night in his room: they set a guard 
over liis goods, and in llic morning returned and examined all his trunks, and 
then waited on him to Philadel|ihia, where he was to wait on the general, and 
answer to sundry charges, one of which was, that he was suspected of being a 
spy ; this he boldly cleared himself of: another was, that he had in a sermon he 
preached, about two years ago, told the people that if they took up arms against 

the king, they would Ik.- d d ; he likewise pleaded imiocent to this, and finding 

tJiey could not prove it on him, they referred him to the governor, who reproved 
hiiu (or not taking advantage of a pass he had granted him, two or tiirec weeks 
ago, and absolutely prohibited him Irom prosecuting his journey to York, and 
orderi'd bun to repair with his tamily to Bethlehem, there to remain during tlieir 
pleasure, and confined him to a magic circle of si.x miles. 

May lOth. The court met here, when several persons, confined in our jail, — 
some lories, -were examined. Jno. Lawrence relea.sed: I). Ellis imiirisoned. and 



26 

J. Carty fined sixpence, for contempt of court ; several ordered back to prison, 
and R. Smith, B. Helm, T. Hulings, and Collin Campbell examined; R. 
Smith ordered to pay £100, or be confined in prison ; he chose the latter, and 
accordingly took possession of the room J. L. had quitted ; the oaths offered to 
the three others, which they refusing, were fined. 

May 26th. This day Capt. Webb and his family left us to go to Beth- 
lehem. W. D., who some days since recived a passport from Gen. Washington, 
set out for New York with the widow Allen. 

June 7th. The reports often coming by expresses, give us reason to believe 
the English army are in motion, and it is generally supposed they intend to bend 
their course to Philadelphia. 

June 10th. A person from the camp came to town to engage a number of 
guides (to go back with him,) who were well acquainted with the different roads 
to Philadelphia, that in case our people should be obliged to retreat, they may 
not be at a loss. 

June 11th. Certain intelligence arrived, per express, that the English are 
at Bound Brook, the Americans at Morristown. 

June 13th. Early this morning the soldiers beat to march from Bristol, and 
in the course of the day several boats full of soldiers, with the Pennsylvania 
militia, sailed up the river. 

June 14th. Before daylight this morning, the alarm guns, at Princeton, 
Trenton, Bordentown, and Bristol, were fired, and answered by those below; 
about 9 o'clock the gondolas and barges began to appear in sight, and from that 
time, till 9 at night, there have gone up the river five or six gondolas. Several flat- 
bottomed boats are also gone to Bristol. There is a report of a battle to-day, 
which seems probable, as we have heard much firing above. By a person from 
Bordentown, we hear twelve expresses came in there to-day from camp. Some of 
the gondola men and their wives being sick, and no doctor in town to apply to, 
they were told that Mrs. M. was a skilful woman, and kept medicines to give to 
the poor ; and notwithstanding their late attempts to shoot my poor boy, they 
ventured to come to me, find, in a very lumiblo manner, begged me to come and 



27 

do soincthiiiiT for them. At first I tliought they mii,'ht have a design to put a 
trick 111)011 mo, and get me aboard of their gondola, and tlien pillage my house, 
as they had done some others; but on asking wlierc the sick folks were, was 
told they were lodged in the governor's house. So I went to see them; there 
were several, both men and women, very ill with a fever — some said the camp, 
or putrid fever ; they were broke out in blotches, and, on close examination, it 
appeared to tx^ the itch fever. I treated them according to art, and they all got 
well. 1 thoui^lit I had received all my pay, when they thankfully acknowledged 
my kindne.>;s, but lo ! in a short time afterwards, a very rough,, ill-looking man, 
came to the door and asked for me ; when I went to him, lie drew me aside, 
and asked if I had any friends in Philadelphia; tlie question alarmed me, 
supposing there was some mischief meditated against that poor city ; however 
I calmly said, I have an ancient father, some sisters, and other near friends there. 
•' Well," -s.ud the mall, "do you wish to hear from them, or send any thing by 
way of refrosliment to them — if you do, I will take charge of it, and bring you 
back any thing you may send for."' I was very much surprised, and thought, to 
be sure, he only wanted to get provisions to take to the gondolas, when he told 
me bis wile was one of those I had given medicine to, and this was the only 
thing he could do to jtay me for my kindness; my heart leaped with joy, and I 
set about preparing something lor my dear absent friends. A quarter of beef, some 
veal, fowls, and llour, were .soon put up, and about midnight the man called and 
took themaltoardof his boat. He left them at Robert Hopkins's, at the Point, from 
whence my U-loved friends took them to town, and, two nights after, a loud 
knocking at our front door greatly alarmed us. Ojx'ning the chamber window, 
we iieard a man's voice, saying, '■ come down softly and open the door, but bring 
no light;" there w.ts something mysterious in such a call, and we concluded to 
go down and set the candle in the kitchen- when we got to the front door, we 
asked '• who are you .'" the man replied, '■ a friend, open quickly ;" so the door 
was oiHiied, and who should it be but our honest gondola man, lA-ith a letter, a 
bushel of .salt, a jug of molasses, a bag of rice, some tea, coffee, and sugar, and 
some cloth for ;\ coat for my poor boys— all sent by my kind sisters. How did 



28 

our hearts and eyes overflow with love to them, and thanks to our Heavenly 
Father, for such seasonable supplies. May we never forget it. Being now so 
rich, we thought it our duty to hand out a little to the poor around us, who were 
mourning for want of salt ; so we divided the bushel, and gave a pint to every 
poor person that came for it, and had a great plenty for our own use. Indeed it 
seemed as if our little store increased by distributing it, like the bread broken 
by our Saviour to the multitude, which, when he had blessed it, was so marvel- 
lously multiplied. One morning, having left my chamber at an earlier hour 
than usual, and casting my eyes towards the river, was surprised to see some 
hundreds of boats, all filled with British soldiers. 1 ran to my dear G. D.'s room, 
and begged him to get up and see the sight, lie went to the window, and I waited 
to hear what he would say ; but as he said nothing, I called out to him, " Brother, 
what shall we do, now ?" He opened his door, and sweetly and calmly said, " Let 
us, my sister, keep still and quiet ; I believe no harm will happen to us ;" and 
indeed we were favoured with remarkable stillness ; even the children seemed to 
partake of it. The boats were ordered up the river to Bordentown, to burn all 
the gondolas. Poor R. Sutton and his son passing my door. I stopped him, and 
asked him where he was going ; he said, to join the soldiers to march to Borden- 
town, for the English were going to burn it, and on their return would do the 
same to Burlington. I begged him not to go, and said, perhaps he would be 
killed ; he said he would go, for all that — next day we heard he was killed. The 
report was, that some of the militia had fired on the English boats as they were 
rowing up the river ; the firing was returned, and poor Sutton was the first, if 
not the only one killed ; the last boat we saw, was a small one, with only three 
men and the rowers in it ; they were not soldiers ; when they came opposite to 
the town wharf, they stopped rowing, and pulled off their hats and bowed to the 
people on the wharf We heard afterwards it was our poor refugee. Doctor S. 
Burling, and J. Stansbury, who intended to have come on shore and paid us a 
visit, but so many people appearing on tiie wharf tiiey thought it safest to take 
to their oars and follow the tleet. One large vessel, with cannon, was in the 
fleet, and when they returned, were ordered to fire if they saw soldiers on the 



wit.irl", or iiljoiil the streets. It seems the soldiers liad notice of the time when 
they were to return, and they placed themselves along the shore, quite down to 
the terry; it was I'irst day afternoon, and all the family, but myself, gone to 
niecinig, and I was laying on the bed, and hearing a large gun, looked out of 
the window, and saw the large shij) so close to our landing that I thought they 
were coming ashore ; when, behold ! they fired two or three of their great guns, 
winch shook the house, and went through the walls of our next door neighbour, 
who was a captain in the rebel army. I still kept at the window, unapprehensive 
of danger, and seeing a man on the deck talking, and pointing to my house, one 
of them said, ■' In that house lives a woman to whom I am indebted for my life ; 
she sheltered mc when I was driven from my own house," &c. This I was 
afterwards told by a person who heard it ; it is needless to add it was our poor 
refugee. I really think they have made an end of the gondolas ; I hope never to 
see another. .V rebel quartermaster, who had received some little civilities from 
my S. I), and myself, asked me one day, if I did not wish to sec my friends in 
riiiladelpiiia ; I said it was the wish nearest my heart ; he said he would acco.ni- 
pany mc ns lar as Frankfort, if I would promise to take no kind of provision 
with me, an<I that he would meet me at the same place, and conduct me homo 
again. Such an "ifer was not to be slighted— 1 went to my friend, A. ()., and 
asked her if she would venture to bear me comjjany. She joyfully agreed, and 
we borrowed a liorse and chair, and early next morning set out. Our quarter- 
master being our guartl, and good neighbour J. V. went with us to the ferry, to 
see us s;ife over. We got to A. James's place in the afternoon, and sent notice 
to our friends in town, and ne.xt morning my father, brothers, ^loore and Wells, 
and my two sisters, with Dr. O. A:c., met us at Kensington, for they dared not 
go t'urtlier, that being the IJrilish lines. I believe there never was a more heart- 
tendering meetmg. I had not seen my father and sisters for many months, and 
the ilangers we were surrounded with, and the probability of this being the last 
time we might meet on earth, tog.ther with the reports of the great scarcity of 
provisions III town, and a thousand oilier things, all contributed to make it an 
awfully allicting nieeling. My sisters went to A. .I.'s place and (lined wilh me. 
I 



30 

A. 0. stayed with her husband till evening, when my dear sisters left me and 
returned to town. The parting was almost too much for mc. I tliouglit we 
were taking a last farewell of each other, but part we must ; they went to town, 
and Naucy and myself retired soon to bed, expecting our quarter-master to call 
on us by daylight, but no news did we hear of him; but a heavy faring in the 
morning made us fearful we should not get safe liome. About nine o'clock some 
stragglers stopped at our quarters, and said there had been a skirmish between 
the English and Americans, and, more terrible still, that parties were ordered out 
to bring in all they should meet with ; this intelligence made us conclude to 
venture homewards without our guide ; we got into our chair and whipped and 
cut our dull horse at a strange rate. Several parties passed and repassed, and 
questioned us about whence we came, and where we were going — they said if 
we were going to Burlington, we should be stopped at the ferry and taken to 
Washington's head quarters ; for there was a report that women had been into 
town and brought out goods. We kept our minds pretty calm, hoping that if we 
got safe to the ferry, as we were so well known, we should meet no more dangers, 
and we got along well till we got to the liill beyond the Red Lion, which being 
very bad, and we still pressing our poor horse to make more haste, he made one 
violent exertion to reach the top of the hill, when, to our utter dismay, the 
swingletree broke, and the chair began to roll down the hill. We both jumped 
out at the same instant ; Nancy held the horse while I rolled a stone behind the 
wheel, and there we stood afraid to stir from the horse, and thinking we should 
be obliged to leave the chair, and lead the horse home. At last we ventured to 
the door of a small house hard by ; a man came out, and with the help of Nancy's 
ribbons and my garters, fixed us off, and we once again mounted the chair, and 
walked the horse till we came near the Bristol road, where we heard the ferry 
was guarded, and none suffered to cross. However we kept on, and at length 
reached the ferry, where, instead of armed men, we could hardly find one man 
to put us over. At last we got over, and now being on our own shore, we began 
like people just escaped from shipwreck, to review the dangers past, and congratu- 
late ourselves on our arrival in a sali' poil ; and I hop(^ not without a sincere, 



31 

tlioiifrli silont, ackriowli'Jjr'iHMit of tlip good hand ttiat liad vonclisafid to l)riii<r 
us so far im our way to our lonely liabitalions. ^VIlen we arrived at my door, 
my beloved S. I), liad the neifjlihours and children all sitting witli her; her 
tender anxiiiiis mind Idled witli apprehensions for our safely. As we liad stayed 
a day longer than we intended, it was conjectured hy our wise neigld)our, J. V., 
that some lerrihle thing had liapix^ned, nothing less than that the horse, which was 
his, liad lie-en seizetl, and wo kept in Pennsylvania. Rd. Smith, who lent the 
chair, was eipially alarmed for the fate of his carriage; and S. H., who loudly 
exelaimed against the expedition, said wc wore certainly carried to head quarters; 
and as Nancy's husband was in the British pay, it would go hard with her for 
his s;iko ; but, behold ! all their wise conjectures proved like the croaking of the 
raven, for in the midst of it all, we appeared before them in our proper persons, 
before our arrival was announced. Some cried out, where 's the horse .' wliore 's 
the chair.' where have you been.' A:c. We gtiily told them all was safe, then sat 
down to a giiod dish of tea, and rehearsed all we had seen, heard, and suflered ; 
when we were seriously advised never to engage again in such a perilous 
imdiTtakiiig; and we as seriously assured them that if wc did we would look 
out for a stronger horse and chair, and be our own guide, for that our late 
ox|«hlion, so far from hein;,' a discouragement, was like a whet to an hungry 
man, which gave him a beiler apjR'tile for liis dinner. 



4^'^ 



